Texas teacher returns to Arkansas to lead convent

Native of Muenster, Texas, has taught in her hometown Catholic school for past 13 years

Published: July 16, 2011

By Aprille Hanson
Little Rock Correspondent

Bishop Anthony B. Taylor was present June 20 at Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro when Sister Lillian Marie Reiter, OSB, was elected prioress. The new prioress has spent the past 52 years as a Catholic elementary school teacher.

When Sister Lillian Marie Reiter, OSB, was 5 years old, she said her teacher shared information with students about priests -- particularly how they would bring holy Communion to the sick. Sister Lillian Marie said the teacher then asked the class if anyone thought they had a calling to be a religious one day.

Sister Lillian Marie thought this would be a great fit, raising her hand.

"I thought about being a ballet dancer, but my parents didn't have the money," she said.

Just as it wasn't God's plan for Sister Lillian Marie to be a dancer, she has put her teaching career on hold after being elected as prioress June 20 of the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters at Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro. She replaces Sister Mary Anne Nuce, who completed two three-year terms.

"I don't know how to say how I felt," Sister Lillian Marie said of being named prioress. "It's not really a job I want, but I feel that is what God wants me to do. I will do the best I can; it's what God is asking of me now."

After a secret ballot vote by the more than 30 nuns at Holy Angels Convent, Sister Lillian Marie, 69, was chosen and accepted the position from Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, who was present at the election.

As prioress, Sister Lillian Marie said she will "work with the sisters and help them out in whatever way they need."

"(I will) appoint them to missions that will help serve the Church and bring God to other people," she said. "If they ask me for help, we'll work together as a family."

According to a press release, Sister Lillian Marie is the fourth sister from Texas to be elected prioress at the convent.

Growing up the second of six children in Muenster, Texas, Sister Lillian Marie looked after her brothers and sisters while helping on the small family farm where "God was number one" in their lives.

After graduating from the eighth grade in 1955, she entered the former Holy Angels Academy with the intention of becoming a nun. Sister Lillian Marie took her first vows in 1958 and perpetual vows in 1963.

In 1959, she received her first teaching assignment for first and second graders at St. Michael School in West Memphis. This sparked a 52-year career, teaching in schools in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, including Our Lady of the Holy Souls School in Little Rock.

"(I enjoyed) the enthusiasm of the children and their willingness to learn and live," Sister Lillian Marie said. "The uniqueness of each child ... You see God in each one."

She received her bachelor's degree in education in 1970 from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. For the past 13 years, Sister Lillian Marie has been teaching at Sacred Heart School in Muenster.

Still learning the ins and outs of the position, Sister Lillian Marie doesn't have any solid plans for the future, but said she's most looking forward to serving her fellow sisters.

"(I will) try to bring them closer to God, because we could all use growth in that area," she said.

Sister Lillian Marie will not be alone serving as prioress, having named Sister de Porres Polk as sub-prioress.

Sister de Porres, 67, from Erath, La., who made her final perpetual vows in 1969, said, "I feel the Lord called me to this position."

Most recently Sister de Porres was assistant liaison for the Diocesan Council for Black Catholics in North Little Rock.

She said she will be there to assist Sister Lillian Marie in whatever she needs.

"The Holy Spirit elected her and we're all going to work with her. I think she'll do a great job," Sister de Porres said. "I think she's going to bring more cohesiveness to the community."